Nwoko urged him to shed the old politics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and embrace a forward-looking agenda that places development and inclusion at the core.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North) has hailed the defection of Delta State Governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a seismic political shift with far-reaching consequences, declaring it a crucial step toward the creation of Anioma and New Delta states.
In a statement signed by the lawmaker on Thursday, April 24, 2025, titled “A New Dawn for New Delta and Anioma Statehood”, Nwoko described the governor’s defection as more than a party switch, calling it “a rewriting of Nigeria’s political history” that could unlock long-overdue constitutional reforms.
“For the first time in decades, we have a real chance to restructure Nigeria’s federating units through constitutionally backed reforms that serve justice, equity, and true federalism,” Nwoko said. “This moment is not just about shifting allegiances, it is about the bold possibilities now within reach.”
The senator, who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, emphasized that the APC has the numbers and political will to implement bold constitutional amendments, including the creation of Anioma and New Delta states—an agenda he claims was already part of the APC’s blueprint before the governor’s defection.
“Let me remind you, this agenda was declared a done deal by the party leadership long before your defection,” he stated. “It is a testament to the APC’s commitment to correcting historical imbalances and ending regional marginalisation.”
Framing the governor’s move as historic, Nwoko urged him to shed the old politics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and embrace a forward-looking agenda that places development and inclusion at the core.
“Your defection must not be symbolic, it must be transformative,” he said. “Old habits, old politics, and the old deals that led to the gradual decline of the PDP in Delta must be left behind.”
According to Nwoko, the long-standing aspiration of the Anioma people for their own state can finally be realized, while the proposed New Delta would address deep-rooted structural imbalances and empower marginalized communities.
“These changes are more than political. They are economic necessities,” Nwoko added. “Two new states will mean two new engines of development—focused governance, better infrastructure, increased federal allocation, and grassroots democracy.”
He further positioned the governor’s alignment with the APC as vital for ensuring that Delta State is not sidelined in the implementation of the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“Your decision to align with the President will ensure that New Delta and Anioma are not left behind, but instead benefit immensely from the vast opportunities available at the centre,” Nwoko said.
With the South now better positioned in national politics, the senator called this “the golden hour for Delta,” urging the governor to lead constitutional reforms with “clarity and conviction.”